Benin President visits Jonathan, Buhari

President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections.
Yayi who visited Jonathan in the State House told State House Correspondents after a closed door meeting with his host that President Jonathan’s contribution to the development of democracy in Africa was indelible.
Yayi cited that apart from playing a leadership role in Africa, President Jonathan had mediated in achieving peace in many countries such as in Mali, Guinea Bissau , Cote d’ Ivoire , among others.
“I came to congratulate my brother, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. He is a very great statesman; he organised the election peacefully in the largest country in Africa.
“To us the election was very transparent and peaceful and coming back, he took a wonderful decision by a great statesman by calling his challenger to congratulate him even before the final results were released.
“My brother, we like to congratulate you on behalf of other colleagues in the sub region. He is a great statesman. He successfully managed and led Nigeria to fight Boko Haram. It was not easy.
“Nigeria is a strong country, being able to set the pace in West Africa. Nigeria is great country and the President is a great president. Nigeria has been the first economic power in Africa. It is not easy.
“I will like to thank him because I’m the President of Benin and we depend on Nigeria. What he did here is of immense benefit to us.”
Similarly, during a visit to President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, at the Defence House Abuja, the visiting President expressed confidence in the ability of the incoming administration to continue Nigeria’s leadership role on the African continent.
Gen. Buhari who expressed delight over the visit, assured President Yahi of his determination to tackle insecurity and other challenges in the ECOWAS sub-region.